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My brother is a third year associate at a V100 and I'm going to attend BMVP this Fall. I asked him if he would put in a word for me with the hiring partner about a 1L SA position and he said that a) he has no influence on hiring decisions and b) his presence at the firm would actually harm my chances because it wants to avoid giving the impression of nepotism. I understand that he doesn't hire associates, but I have a hard time believing he couldn't say something that would help me out. Is he just being lazy/scared to ask or is his comment about nepotism actually true?

It's also possible that your brother's not doing too great there and feels his own position is precarious, but is embarassed to tell you that outright. If that's the case, a word from or mention of him would hurt rather than help you.

Anonymous User wrote:He would have utterly no bearing on the hiring process, and his suggestion could in fact put him in disfavor with partners who think he's only suggesting you get hired because you're his brother.

This is true, at least the first part. Here's what you could ask for that might help you: ask for him to provide an introduction to someone at the firm in a practice area you're interested in, and ask that person for an informational interview. It would give you something to talk about when you later apply at the firm, it might provide you with some useful info about the firm/practice area, and might give you an acquaintance at the firm that isn't your brother.

Anonymous User wrote:My brother is a third year associate at a V100 and I'm going to attend BMVP this Fall. I asked him if he would put in a word for me with the hiring partner about a 1L SA position and he said that a) he has no influence on hiring decisions and b) his presence at the firm would actually harm my chances because it wants to avoid giving the impression of nepotism. I understand that he doesn't hire associates, but I have a hard time believing he couldn't say something that would help me out. Is he just being lazy/scared to ask or is his comment about nepotism actually true?

Depends on the firm and its culture. Some firms are open to hiring recommendations from within, others are not. Plus, it depends on your brother's relationship with the hiring partner.

Here's what you could ask for that might help you: ask for him to provide an introduction to someone at the firm in a practice area you're interested in, and ask that person for an informational interview. It would give you something to talk about when you later apply at the firm, it might provide you with some useful info about the firm/practice area, and might give you an acquaintance at the firm that isn't your brother.

have your brother forward your cover letter and resume to the HR person doing the initial screening so that that person will not automatically throw it away. It's the same as emailing an alum from your school or someone you meet at a networking function and having them forward the stuff for you.

But don't ask him to do the awkward thing of talking to the hiring partner about getting you a job. Even if he does have pull, it's awkward to ask for such a favor especially since it's 1L summer--if you then don't go back to firm your 2L year that'll look poorly on your brother. Plus your brother will have to constantly worry about how your performance will reflect on him. I can understand having your brother pull strings if you're a 2L with no job lined up b/c of the economy, but for 1L summer that's pushing it.

Firms are set up with somewhat rigid internal hiring comittee that people who are outside of it are not supposed to be theoretically able to influence. And it's true that there are some firms that have express policies to prevent even the possibility of nepotism.

In practice, if your connection was a major client or a senior partner (or, as is the case with a few firms, the guy with the name on the building), it would be a different story. But no, an associate isn't going to be able to get this done for you.